EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
SourcingOct 17, 2017
AMNH to Completely Redesign Gem and Mineral Halls
New York City’s American Museum of Natural History is giving the exhibits a facelift in time to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
The renovation of the gem and mineral halls at the American Museum of Natural History will include a redesigned gem gallery, featuring a case containing the museum’s most precious gems.
New York--The gem and mineral halls at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History will soon be getting a facelift.
The museum announced Monday morning that it will undertake a complete redesign of the halls, transforming the 11,000-square-foot space into a “gleaming showcase” for the world-renowned collection.
Construction will begin when the current halls close on Oct. 26.
The American Museum of Natural History is home to about 105,000 minerals and 5,000 gems.
The specimens there have been displayed in several different galleries over the years. Until 1974, the J. Pierpont Morgan Memorial Hall of Minerals and Gems on the 4 floor was the primary display area. Then in May 1976, the current Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems and Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals opened on the first floor.
Now, the exhibits will be renamed for Roberto and Allison Mignone, longstanding supporters of and volunteers at the museum.
The redesigned halls will aim to tell the story of how the different types of minerals arose on the planet, how scientists classify them and how humans have fashioned them into gems and used them for personal adornment, tools and technology throughout history, curated by George Harlow, who also serves as curator of the museum’s Division of Physical Sciences.
“Forty-plus years ago, when the current galleries were designed, scientists had not yet begun to explore the concept of mineral evolution,” he said. “Today, we work within a different framework, where much of the diversity of minerals on our dynamic planet is directly connected to the evolution of life. Our new exhibits will allow us to tell how the story of minerals is linked with their natural environment and biology on the one hand and with culture and technology on the other.”
The Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will feature new large-scale acquisitions, like the 563-carat Star of India sapphire and the 632-carat Patricia emerald, as well as pieces from the collection that haven’t been on display for decades.
What the “Crystal Garden” main exhibition area will look like when it opens. It will feature signature large-scale specimens from around the world.
The Crystalline Pass will connect the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals to the new Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation.
This 12-foot-tall amethyst geode, recently acquired from Uruguay, will stand in the Grand Gallery through the holiday season, and then will be a centerpiece in the new halls when they open in 2019.
A shot of the Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals as it looks now
Other elements currently planned for the new halls are a “Crystal Garden” main exhibition area with large-scale specimens from around the world and zones that highlight a variety of processes and environments that shape mineral formation; a gem gallery with a case featuring the museum’s most precious gems; a case dedicated to the minerals of New York City, including the “Subway Garnet;” a dedicated space for temporary exhibitions; and a fluorescence and phosphorescence gallery.
Harlow also told press Monday morning that they’re hoping to add birthstones to the museum’s display and a section that looks at the process of taking a mineral from rough to polished gem.
And where it previously formed a cul-de-sac in the museum, the exhibit now will have a passage to the new Center for Science, Education and Innovation to allow for the better flow of museum guests.
To celebrate the redesign, the museum unveiled one of the new halls’ featured specimens, a 12-foot-tall amethyst geode, which was recently acquired from Uruguay and which will be on temporary view in the museum’s Grand Gallery through the 2017 holiday season.
The museum said the piece, which will be a centerpiece in the new halls once they are open, is among the largest amethyst geodes in the world.
The renovation of the Halls of Gems and Minerals, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, comes as part of a series of physical and programmatic enhancements to the historic parts of the museum as it gets ready to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2019. The Halls are expected to open that year.
And where it previously formed a cul-de-sac in the museum, the exhibit now will have a passage to the new Center for Science, Education and Innovation to allow for the better flow of museum guests.
To celebrate the redesign, the museum unveiled one of the new halls’ featured specimens, a 12-foot-tall amethyst geode, which was recently acquired from Uruguay and which will be on temporary view in the museum’s Grand Gallery through the 2017 holiday season.
The museum said the piece, which will be a centerpiece in the new halls once they are open, is among the largest amethyst geodes in the world.
The renovation of the Halls of Gems and Minerals, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, comes as part of a series of physical and programmatic enhancements to the historic parts of the museum as it gets ready to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2019. The Halls are expected to open that year.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
